Leading Slicing Versatility
The Model CC Slicer from Urschel continues to be the go-to slicer for potato chips/crisps. It is also popular for producing slices and shreds for fruits, vegetables, and nuts. Product is delivered to the feed hopper assembly and enters the rotating impeller. Centrifugal force holds the product against the inner surfaces of each cutting station. As product passes each cutting station, slices, shreds, or strips are produced. The machine can be equipped with a 2, 5, or 10 HP (1.5, 3.7, or 7.5 kW) motor. New for the Model CC is a laser cut frame that offers increased sanitation and flexibility.
Urschel is continuing to expand on the machine’s capabilities. It is amazing how a machine could capture such a strong market. Mike Jacko, Vice President of Applications & New Product Innovation at Urschel said, “We have developed a wide spectrum of slice shapes including Crinkle, V, Flat-V®, and Z. Widely known for slices, the Model CC provides even more versatility in the many shred shapes including Full, Reduced-V, Full Flat-V, Reduced Flat-V, Oval, Reduced Oval (Crescent), Strips, Julienne, and even grating options. Customers continue to push Urschel to explore even more shapes, and this remains an active project.”
The development of the SH-14 (Shredding) and SL-14 (Slicing) MicroAdjustable® Heads has made a huge impact on increasing capacities. The advantages of implementing one of these heads doesn’t end with the increased capacity due to the 14 cutting stations. Processors are experiencing longer run times between knife changes. Operator interaction is minimized. Both heads are more user friendly versus the standard 8-station heads. Urschel is continuing to expand on the 14-station line of cutting heads. Notably, the SlideLocc™ .212V Slice, which offers 3 simple steps of slide, lock in place, and tighten.
Dicing Advantages
The growing potato, snack, pet food, and fruit/vegetable markets rely on the DiversaCut series from Urschel to provide the ultimate dices. In addition to salty snack potato products, the pet food industry’s use of sweet potatoes as an ingredient in their products is also on the rise.
The DiversaCut series is made up of several models. Notably, the DiversaCut 2110A® Dicer (DCA) and Sprint 2® Dicer (SPR2). The DCA is one of Urschel’s larger dicers and accepts input products up to 10″ (254 mm) in any dimension, whereas the SPR2 possesses a smaller footprint and accepts products up to 6.5″ (165 mm). The DCA may be outfitted with either a 5 or 10 HP (3.7 or 7.5 kW) and be able to run up to 90 hertz with supported heavy-duty components/gearing to obtain unsurpassed capacities. The SPR may be equipped with a 1.5 or 3 HP (1.1 or 2.2 kW) to offer flexibility to small to moderate size processors.
The DiversaCut series will produce slices, strips, granulations, shreds, or dices in flat/straight or a variety of crinkle and V shapes. Deep crinkle, granulation, and strip cuts have shown to be the most popular in the last 2 years.
Customers appreciate the versatility in the ability to switch from one cut to another as they add SKU’s to their product lines. Ease of maintenance and operation with limited operator involvement is a key feature. Attention to detail in construction, for example built-ins such as the circular knife spindle carriage to expedite changeovers, is part of the intuitive design. Other elements include a slide-in, removable slicing knife which offers cost-savings and a dial-in slice adjustment knob. Swing away panels throughout the machines offer full access without having to rest any panels on the plant floor.
New to both the DCA and SPR, is a built-in conveyor discharge. This feature enables full discharge of cut product and is preferred among batch processors dispensing into totes. The conveyor discharge is designed to be at the most optimum height specifically for totes.
Cost-saving, Value Added Opportunities
A number of processors are already building SKU’s instead of ‘scrap’ product. Processors recognize the costs associated with disposal or third-party processing service fees, and they have developed value added products to actively benefit their bottom line. Cost-savings associated with this may also reduce water, overall power usage, and positively impact the environment.
Further reduction to produce value-added opportunities may be accomplished with a number of Urschel machines. An existing Urschel customer may choose to examine additional capabilities for a machine the company has on-site. For example, a potato customer who is already running a CC with a shredding head may opt to purchase one or more grating heads to develop a further reduction.
Incorporating a DiversaCut or one or more models from the Comitrol® Processor milling line are both popular options. A DiversaCut dicer may be able to create smaller cuts from products such as fries, patties, or other preformed potato products. It may also be used as a precutter in conjunction with one of the Comitrol Processor models.
The Comitrol® Processor series offers several different models from which to choose, and products may be reduced to coarse or fine particles down to micro-dimensions. Every model features continuous single pass operation with no operator adjustments.
Urschel has free-of-charge test cutting available in offices around the world. As customers look to expand their SKU’s and build their lines, test cutting is a great first step. Urschel lab technicians have experience with thousands of cutting applications to assist with individual goals. Test cutting is available in-person, live remotely, or via video. Customers can also arrange test cuts via their local Urschel contact
Article contributed by Mike Jacko, Vice President of Applications & New Product Innovation at Urschel
